[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 23, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E513-E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     A TRIBUTE TO THE STONY BROOK HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 1999

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and emotion that I 
rise today in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the girls 
high school basketball team from Stony Brook, on Long Island. 
Culminating a successful season, marked with 15 wins and 4 losses, the 
``Bears of Stony Brook'' were crowned the ``1999 Suffolk County Class 
D'' basketball champions.
  With a proud history, the girls basketball team had to overcome past 
disappointments, to band together as a team and win the championship. 
In the previous two years, the Bears had traveled to the Suffolk County 
tournament only to be denied the prestigious championship. This season, 
led by coach Keith Singer, the girls were finally successful in their 
quest for the title. Their journey ended the weekend of February 20 
with the overwhelming victory over Pierson High School. After receiving 
the number one seed in the playoffs, the Bears defeated Pierson High 
School, ranked second in the tournament, by a score of 61-30.
  The strong 15 and 4 record is a testament to the hard work and 
determination of the Bears. Coach Keith Singer's leadership kept these 
young women poised on winning the championship. On the basketball 
court, the Bears were blessed with a well-balanced offensive team. 
Senior Rebecca Fischer led the Bears offense by scoring 18 points, and 
adding 14 rebounds. Fellow senior, Sara Kiernan, further contributed to 
the bears success with 13 points. The team's success would not have 
occurred without their determination and teamwork.
  The Bears' success is also attributed to their dominating defensive 
style. The team has frustrated numerous teams with their suffocating 
defensive play. Led by senior Sara

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Kiernan, who amassed five steals, the Bears put together a stringent 
zone defense. The success of their defense is most easily seen in their 
domination of rival Pierson. In the final, the Bears' defense 
devastated Pierson. In the first period, Pierson was held to a mere 7 
points. Overall, Pierson was only able to score 30 points against the 
Bears, despite being ranked second in the County.
  The work ethic and determined spirit of this high school basketball 
team are a true reflection of my Congressional District. The entire 
community is filled with pride for these young women, who have worked 
so hard and sacrificed so much to reach their goal. So I ask my 
colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me and all my 
neighbors in saluting the Stony Brook Bears, the ``1999 Suffolk County 
Class D'' girls high school basketball champions.

                          ____________________